Wednesday, March 5, 2008

The Happy Homemaker Strikes Again

It's baking day.

I say that like it's this definite, certain thing in my house, but it isn't. I wish I could have this really great, regimented schedule like Ma in the Little House books, but it just falls apart for me. Wash on Monday, Iron on Tuesday, Bake on Wednesday, Sweep on Thursday. . . I mean, what happens when it's Tomato Season and you're canning tomatoes and spaghetti sauce all day? Or it's time to make the cheese? Or the kids get sick and there's no way to get a loaf of bread in the oven? I have no idea. I need regimented flexibility. Most things get done in a week and if it gets to be too much, I hand P the vacuum cleaner. But what would happen if my survival depended on my ability to wash laundry (by hand!) and make my family's supply of cheese curds for the year? Lord, what if I simply had to grow my own wheat? I suppose it's a good thing I'm not a homesteader. We would have languished without sugar because I have no idea how to tap a maple tree.

I think I need to hug a farmer.

That said, this is what Thomas and I made today.It's the Cinnamon Bread from the Simply in Season cookbook. I can't say how much I enjoy this cookbook. I have a good friend who also has this cookbook and it's uncanny how many times we'll be chatting and one will say to the other, "Hey I'm making Hearty Lentil Stew tonight!" and the other will say that she is either making the same dinner or just made it a day ago. It's a lot like being in middle school and owning matching legwarmers with your best friend. It just doesn't get cooler than that.